Oklahoma City

A monthly forum sponsored by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber took flight Wednesday as about 150 of its members and guests heard from representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.

Frustrated by a legislative budget impasse that has stalled state progress, a statewide coalition of Oklahoma business and civic leaders proposed a comprehensive solution Thursday that would increase state revenues, fund $5,000 teacher pay raises and alter the structure of state and county government.

The first glimpse of designs for the 17-story Omni to be built next to the city's new convention center shows the hotel will front the future downtown boulevard with restaurants and bars designed also to draw visitors at the future Scissortail Park.